Creating a vocal group can be difficult. There are many things to consider if you want to become famous. If you meet the right people, train hard and continue to showcase your work, your group may become as famous as The Jacksons, The Temptations, The Supremes, and Boys II Men.
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Part 1 of 4: Finding the Right Members
Step 1. Decide what type of vocal group you want to create
Before starting a big project like this, you need a clear vision and goals.
- Set the group type so that your vision is clearly visible from the start.
- You will need to specify the type of music that will be performed by the vocal group that you want to create. The number of members in the group, where to find singers and musicians, and how you'll find an agent or manager depends on the type of music you choose.
- Some types of music that are popular among vocal groups are madrigal (a poem about love that is sung), a capella (without musical instruments), pop, hip-hop, jazz vocals, rock, etc.
- Where you will look for group members depends on the type of group.
- For example, if you want to create a religious vocal group, you will need to look for places of worship, especially choir groups that are there.
- If you need members who can play music, you might want to look for people who belong to music groups at school.
Step 2. Decide what kind of voice you want for the singers in your group
This depends on the following factors.
- Some types of music only require 2 or 3 singers, while other types of music such as pop and a capella require 5 or more singers.
- You must also specify the gender of the member to be selected. Is the group you want to create a group where all members are female, male, or mixed?
- If you want to create a group with both male and female members in it, you will also need to calculate how many male and female singers are needed to get the right voice.
- If it's rock or country, you only need one singer. The other members will definitely not be backing singers. In such a group there is usually a lead singer and a number of musicians who play guitar, bass, and drums.
Step 3. Hold an audition
In order to find suitable people, you can organize an audition so that these people come to you without having to search first.
- You will also need to advertise the event (this could be through flyers, word of mouth, or through advertisements in newspapers, etc.).
- Post and distribute flyers around schools, small shops, places of worship, and at local events.
- Announce through the newspaper. This will help musicians and singers interested in the project find you.
- Talk to people at a place of worship (if necessary) or a community center in your city. They can help spread the word about your audition and group.
- Announce through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
- You can also advertise on Craigslist (a site specifically for job postings, services, homes, events and specific communities) and several other sites.
Step 4. Ask people in your community
If you know people who are already in a band or vocal group, ask if they know someone who would like to join a vocal group.
- Tell your friends about this via social media apps.
- Ask former band members (if you've been in a particular band) or your music teacher if they know anyone who might or might be interested in auditioning.
- Do whatever you can to make this project grab the attention of the crowd, so you can find the talented people you want in your group.
Step 5. Determine a leader in the group
Even if every singer you choose has an equal share, your group still needs a leader.
- This chosen person will interact with the manager, the booking agent (the person in charge of finding a place where your group will perform), the fan community and the press.
- This person must also ensure that each member of the group stays in line with the shared vision.
- Make sure the leader chosen is someone who can work with other members, regardless of each member's different personalities. Remember, all the members in your group must have a good relationship with one another and be able to work together effectively.
Step 6. Determine the role of each member
A group will function well if all members understand the roles they perform. Usually, roles in a vocal group are based on a certain level of ability and expertise that the member has.
- If any member had a good tenor voice, it would be ridiculous to put them in the alto section.
- If a member is good at choreography, entrust the role of the choreographer to create and put together dance moves for your group.
- Some members of your group may be better at playing an instrument or better at singing certain types of music than others. Assign roles according to the abilities and expertise of each member.
- A rock band tends to have one member who acts as a singer and the rest play different instruments.
- Make sure everyone in the group understands that they won't always get the attention. You can explain that not all rock songs have a specific section for a drum solo performance, so the drummer in your group knows that he or she won't always get a special section in later songs.
Part 2 of 4: Setting Up a Group
Step 1. Set a name for your group
Choosing a group name is one of the most important decisions you have to make at the outset.
- It's this chosen name that people will remember (or forget, if the name chosen isn't appealing), that will continue to be promoted, and (hopefully) make your group famous.
- Think carefully before deciding on a name for your group, because the name you choose will reflect your musical style, personality, and the type of song you will be performing.
- Think of a catchy name that will make your group stand out. You'll want your vocal group to have a name that sounds creative and catches a lot of attention.
Step 2. Keep practicing
You can't expect your group to become famous just like that without hard training.
- Start by singing or playing a song that everyone in the group likes.
- If all members of your group are musicians, learn to play popular songs before starting to compose your own.
- When performing at a concert, start by playing songs from other bands first, then introduce your own song to the audience.
- Practice until you master the most detailed parts of the song, perfect the parts chosen for you, and see the results.
- You have to practice a lot so that your group performance will be perfect.
- First impressions are the key to everything. Make sure your first group performance doesn't disappoint and make people who watch it think you've practiced a lot.
Step 3. Find a manager
Even so, it's not impossible if you can manage your own vocal group. Tend to be easy to manage the group at the beginning of his career.
- If your group is already performing a lot, it might be a good idea to find someone experienced enough in managing a band to help guide your way through the sometimes complex music scene.
- There are many advantages to having a manager. For example, a manager can book a venue for your group to perform, help find connections with a record label, and also manage finances.
- It is very important to hire someone you can trust one hundred percent as a group manager. Don't let your group be tricked or led in a direction you don't feel comfortable with.
- Remember, managers also need to be paid for their time and hard work. A manager will work very hard to help your group achieve success. You must also agree with the fact that appropriate compensation should be given according to the amount of time and effort your group manager expends.
Part 3 of 4: Finding Places and Opportunities to Perform
Step 1. Perform as often as possible in front of as many people as possible
Don't ask for money early in your career. This is useful for building a fan community and a good reputation.
- Invite other members to meet and perform on the roadside or at the park every weekend, but first make sure that your group doesn't violate any applicable rules (for example, certain parks don't allow small musical performances, or there may be other similar rules).
- Bring a few business cards with you each time you do this to pass on to people who stop to watch your group show.
- Performing in front of a small group of people will make your group comfortable to perform in front of a large crowd. Doing this also helps improve the musical quality of your group.
Step 2. Do this also at parties near your house
Ask friends and neighbors if your group can appear on their shows.
- The more you perform in places where people who have never seen your group perform will come to it, the better.
- Even if the party is small and not very crowded, it's better for your group to show up than not at all.
- Apply for charity events and parties. Doing this can help your group and song to become even more famous.
- Go to an exhibition or community event in your area and play music or sing there. Once a good reputation has been established, you can start charging every time your group performs. Of course, don't ask for a big fee just yet, but start small.
Step 3. Participate in regional talent shows
Find out if there's a talent show in your city, then start signing up.
- This is a good way to start getting involved in the community in your area, to open up opportunities for as many people as possible to hear your songs, and also to open the door to new opportunities for your group.
- Many famous bands and singers (such as Rhianna and Usher) have started from local talent shows.
Step 4. Contact a music hall in your city
Find out if your local music club/bar/restaurant/hall provides live music and ask what to do if your group is offered to perform at the venue.
- The building may ask you to send in a demo tape (containing a video or recording of your group's performance) or come to the building for a live audition.
- Whatever they ask of you, make sure to get ready in advance and make the best impression.
- Make sure which building or venue you choose matches the type of music your group plays. You will not want to appear in a nightclub if the type of music that is brought more into jazz or rock. You'll also be sure to avoid places that your family frequents if the type of music being played tends to be loud and coupled with a controversial style of music.
Step 5. Ask other bands if yours can be the opening group for their show
This is a good way to be known and appear in public, even if only briefly.
- If you know other band members, offer to 'open' their concerts.
- Usually, the opening group will only play a few songs and then introduce the main band to the audience.
- This is a good way for rock bands to make themselves known to the public. Sometimes, a band that is about to hold a small concert will ask new groups to open their concert.
Step 6. Design and print the flyer
Whenever your group is performing, make flyers and distribute them throughout the city.
- Make sure the flyer grabs attention and makes the event look fun so that more people will take more time to see it.
- Include information about the location, time, date, and price of admission to the show.
- Also be sure to tell the people reading your flyer whether the audience must be 18 or 21 years or older or anyone is welcome to attend the event.
Step 7. Promote the event via the internet
A few years ago, there was no other way to promote a music show except by word of mouth, flyers, and radio ads.
- Advances in technology and the fast internet have made this job easier as well as more effective.
- Take advantage of the internet and promote the group actively through social media sites and applications such as FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
- Using social media will make it easier for your fans and others to find and stay informed from you, to contact you if they want your group to appear at their place, and also make your songs more known and heard by more people.
Part 4 of 4: Keeping the Spirit in the Group
Step 1. Increase the members' self-confidence, enthusiasm and desire to continue to be disciplined in practicing
Make sure each member feels valued.
- Let them know that you appreciate the contribution they make through the dynamics within the group and the group wouldn't be able to exist and get to where they are today without them.
- Each member must feel their presence is indispensable and they are the most important part of this group.
- Make sure you keep each member informed of your plans, future opportunities to appear, and other group-related events.
- Do not let one member miss the news or not be invited to special group events.
- As much as possible, don't gossip. Don't spread rumors about one member to other members.
Step 2. Do everything together
When composing a song and practicing performing it, it will be very easy for you to focus only on the business aspect, so invite all of your group members to do other activities to build relationships and a sense of community.
- Make sure you have time to do fun things with your group members.
- Since you guys spend a lot of time together, it's important to remember that you and the other members should also improve their singing or playing music skills to be as good as your relationship.
- Make time to go to parties together or to play on the playground all day. Whatever you guys do, make sure yourself and the other members have fun with it.
- Participating in a sporting event or charity event can be a good idea to build teamwork, which you can also remember as a fun experience.
Step 3. Practice regularly
Nothing can keep each member focused on their work and working hard to achieve it, unless they have to perform a song well.
- To get to this level, you have to keep practicing.
- The more practice, the less chance of making mistakes in later performances.
- Practice until every member (including you) memorizes the song or dance moves and can put on the show without any mistakes.
Step 4. Hold regular member meetings
This is a good way to make sure all the members are like-minded and quite happy with the current state of the group.
- Making sure each member feels that their opinions matter is important for keeping the group together, and member meetings are a great way to achieve this.
- In meetings, talk about upcoming events to make sure each member knows what they need to do.
- Use this meeting to divide tasks into individual group members. Tasks may include buying the necessary equipment, coordinating with the venue to perform, spreading the word about your group's next show, etc.
- Be sure to discuss issues in the group (if any) while all members are present.
- If there is a conflict, stay calm and treat each member well.
Tips
- Make sure you can build a friendship with other members.
- Know your audience type from the start. Determine the type of people who will like and like your group or the 'target market' of your group, it can be very young children, elementary school children, teenagers (usually middle or high school children) or adults. This will help limit what lyrics and songs to write and also create new songs.
- Never stop believing in yourself and your group.
Warning
- Whenever you start to have a disagreement with another member, try to take a break to clear your head, then talk to your manager about this.
- If your group becomes famous in the future, stay kind and be careful not to become popular people later.
- It's okay to feel confident from time to time, but don't let this feeling escalate and you become overconfident. You have to be able to maintain a relationship with the other members, or anything you've built (whether it's friendships or career) will be destroyed.
- You also need to be a 'real' figure, who also experiences and understands the problems and habits of fans so that they feel close to you; behaving arrogantly will not help achieve the desired goal.
